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Nine Caribbean countries that have diplomatic ties with China held a special video meeting with China on COVID-19 at the deputy foreign minister's level on Tuesday, during which the countries reiterated that they will adhere to the one-China principle and support China on issues concerning core interests and major concerns.

"China highly appreciated the Caribbean countries' adherence to the one-China principle," said Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Zhao stressed the importance of Tuesday's special meeting at a critical moment in the global fight against COVID-19 and noted that the countries all agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fight and jointly safeguard global health security.

"All participating countries firmly oppose the politicization, stigmatization and labeling of the virus, firmly uphold multilateralism, and support the WHO's leading role in international anti-pandemic cooperation," said Zhao.

The nine Caribbean countries at the meeting were Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, The Republic of Suriname, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.

At the meeting, China and the Caribbean countries had in-depth exchanges and reached consensus on COVID-19 prevention and control work and mutual and global cooperation in the battle against the pandemic.

 "China will continue to firmly support the fight against the epidemic in the Caribbean, share pandemic prevention experiences and treatment plans, provide anti-pandemic supplies and technical assistance to them, and facilitate their procurement of medical supplies in China," said Zhao.

He also noted that China will actively expand cooperation with the countries in trade, investment and other fields, strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional organizations and jointly push bilateral relations to a new level.

There are four countries in the Caribbean region that maintain "diplomatic relations" with the island of Taiwan.